Putin: "I Do Not Want a Clash with NATO but Am Prepared for All Scenarios"

"Recent No Changes on the Ukraine Front"

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 29th (local time) that Russia does not want a military clash with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Syria and other areas, but is prepared for all scenarios.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to reports from Russian Sputnik and TASS news agencies, President Putin made these remarks about the possibility of a direct clash between Russia and NATO during a press conference held after the Russia-Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg on the same day.

Concerns about a clash between the United States and Russia, which have grown due to the war in Ukraine, have recently also emerged over Syrian airspace. The U.S. Department of Defense stated that Russian fighter jets fired flares at U.S. military drones several times over Syrian airspace this month.

President Putin said, "We are always prepared for any scenario. However, no one wants this." He added, "At one time, we established mechanisms led by the U.S. side to prevent such clashes. The heads of the relevant departments communicated directly and had opportunities to consult in any crisis situation."

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, President Putin said there have been no significant changes or intensification of operations on the front lines in the past two days. Earlier, major Western media reported that Ukraine had not made significant progress for nearly two months in its counteroffensive to reclaim territory lost to Russia, but was reinforcing its forces to strengthen its offensive on the front lines.

President Putin explained, "There is no serious change in the situation. I believe this is because the enemy withdrew attack units to areas for restoring combat capability." He added, "They have suffered heavy losses in both personnel and equipment." He said that since April 4, Ukraine has lost 413 tanks and 1,300 armored vehicles, and that airstrikes were conducted as a precaution after the Crimean Bridge was attacked.

Regarding peace mediation proposals made by African countries related to the Ukraine war, President Putin evaluated that "like China's plan, they can serve as a basis for a process to seek peace," claiming that some provisions such as prisoner exchanges and humanitarian issues are already being implemented. However, he said it was difficult to have a ceasefire while the Ukrainian military maintains its offensive, adding that Russia does not refuse dialogue with Ukraine.